Is your MATTRESS a health hazard?!
It’s supposed to be a COMFY safe haven…
The place where you RELAX and UNWIND after a long day…
And where you wake up RECHARGED and ready to take on the day.
We all love cozying up in bed…
But, lurking beneath your sheets, is your MATTRESS—which could be wrought with a litany of health hazards.
Learn what could be festering in your mattress… and how you can keep it clean without tossing it in the trash!
Your mattress gets A LOT of use. Think about it…
You’re lying on it every, single night. And according to the Sleep Foundation, most mattresses last anywhere from seven to TEN years!
That means you could be using your mattress for sleep over 3,600 times! But too often, folks neglect cleaning their mattress during that lifespan.
Which means it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other health hazards, like:
- Dust mites
- Bedbugs
- Pet dander
- Fungus and bacteria (caused by sweat)
These are fairly common examples of the grime that can live on your mattress…
But did you know that your own body can result in the release of dangerous chemicals that ALSO linger on your bed?
A study published by WedMD found that body heat may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from your mattress. These come mainly from petroleum-based polyurethane and chemicals like formaldehyde and flame retardants that are part of the construction of the mattress.
Long-term exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a number of health complications, including neurological damage, hormone disruption, and even cancer.
Luckily, keeping your mattress clean doesn’t necessarily require you to toss your old one and shell out a small fortune for a new one.
If you’ve been clinging to your mattress for a long time, consider a deep clean. This can be as simple as a thorough vacuuming. Or, you can find cleaning services that will come to your house and clean your mattress with safe detergents and solutions that will rid it of germs.
Once it’s clean, you can look into lining your mattress with a washable mattress cover. These can be washed as frequently as you wash your sheets and will help keep your mattress clean.
To clean sleep,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
Felson, Sabrina. “What’s Lurking in Your Mattress?” https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-dirty-mattress-hazards
Safer States. “Toxic Flame Retardants.” https://www.saferstates.org/toxic-chemicals/toxic-flame-retardants/
